“Autumn in New York and the Books That Changed Our Lives,” the upcoming fundraiser benefiting the Katonah Village Library, blends two themes of interest to many. The first, the brand-new fall season, is perennially popular because of the wonderful weather and gorgeous leaf colors expected during the next few weeks. The second part of the title, about meaningful books, personalizes the event in a way just talking about fall couldn’t do.

All 12 Katonah Village Library trustees, including Ed Baum and Martha McDermott, have been hard at work planning the benefit, which takes place Saturday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. Called “an evening of celebration,” “Autumn in New York” will be held at the library and features music, a live auction, appetizers and festive drinks.

The “Books That Changed Our Lives” part of the evening involves the party’s decor, among other aspects. A number of volumes that have mattered to library trustees and other notable Katonah residents will be displayed throughout the room.

Upon arrival, each guest will be handed a nametag on which he or she can write the title of a personally life-changing book.

“We’re hoping that people will walk around and conversation will be spurred by the book titles on the nametags,” said Ms. McDermott. “We’ll also have a capella and piano music and lots of delicious treats prepared by Debbie Campos of Supper Solutions Personal Chef Services. In addition, we will have one Middle Eastern-themed food table, a signature cocktail, wine, beer and assorted nonalcoholic beverages.”

Katonah Wine & Liquor is donating the wine and Captain Lawrence is donating the beer, Ms. McDermott said, adding that all the trustees have been working in tandem to make this fundraiser a success.

“It’s a board effort,” she said. “Everyone’s contributing from an organizational standpoint and it’s been a great opportunity for team building.”

KVL trustees and library director Van Kozelka all are keenly aware of the fundraiser’s mission — to help bridge the library’s annual operating budget gap, which represents the difference between what it costs to run the library and the revenues received from the Town of Bedford.

Mr. Baum, the board president, said all proceeds from the benefit would help close that gap, about $200,000. “In 2013, it will cost approximately $300 an hour just to sustain our current level of service and staffing,” he said. “We need $75 of that $300 every hour from private support. We’ll evaluate our current operating levels, and, unfortunately, we would have to entertain cutbacks if we don’t bridge that gap. Earlier this year we had to curtail operating hours for approximately 10 weeks to help make ends meet due to the decreased level of town funding.”

KVL isn’t alone in receiving less support from local government in recent years. Trustees agree that the Town of Bedford “has been under a tremendous revenue pressure,” Mr. Baum said, “and all organizations have had to suffer the consequences.”

Mr. Baum said a major focus of the trustees over the past several years has been to repair the library building’s “iconic cupola that is a symbol of the village of Katonah.”

“Extensive” capital funds were used to fix the damage from water leakage, and replaster and repaint the repaired areas, he said.

“Another way that people can help the library is by donating their talents,” Mr. Baum said. “We have established the Friends of the Katonah Village Library group, which Martha is running for us, and we welcome neighbors to donate whatever time and talent they have. The library has many needs, including fundraisers, marketers and event planners, and we encourage residents to get involved.”

Ms. McDermott said the Oct. 13 fundraiser is enhanced by the live auction items that have been donated free of charge. Auction items include use of a ski condominium at Mount Snow; a weekend for two at Mohonk Mountain House; and a six-hour sailing trip on Long Island Sound for six people aboard a 55-foot yacht, complete with captain and crew, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Ms. Campos. One special auction item is a sleepover for 10 at the library, with a puppet show by Katonah’s own Peter Linz, who was the voice of Walter in the latest Muppet movie.

Partygoers can bid on a paddle tennis party at Bedford Golf & Tennis Club, complete with cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres, as well as a cocktail party at the Katonah Museum of Art, with two accompanying gift certificates: $200 from Katonah Wine & Liquor and $300 from Ms. Campos.

Katonah Village Library is the “heart of the community,” said Ms. Kozelka, the library director. “Bridging the operating budget’s shortfall through this fundraiser is important because we can continue to keep the library open to our community.”

“Another challenge that I want to help tackle with the fellow trustees and director is to help redefine the library’s mission in today’s society, to help the library be sure that it continues to meet the needs of community residents for multimedia resources,” Mr. Baum said. “The library serves a vital role in this challenging economic environment. We’ve been the site of job training and a place where any resident can take advantage of employment resources — programs on resume writing and job-hunting, for example. Our librarians help connect people to whatever they want within the walls of KVL, throughout the Westchester Library System or anywhere on the internet.”

Advance tickets are $125 per person ($200 per couple), or $150 per person at the door. Reservations are requested by Oct. 1.

For more information, call 232-3508 or contact library director Van Kozelka at vkozelka@wlsmail.org.

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